The Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, pastor of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City and president of SUNY College at Old Westbury, will present the third in a series of 2004-05 Convocation talks at Oberlin College on Monday, February 7. The title of his talk is "Rebirth of a Nation."

Under Dr. Butts' leadership, Abyssinian Baptist Church has launched wide-ranging community development initiatives. He was among the founders of the Abyssinian Development Corporation, a comprehensive community-based organization responsible for more than $100 million in housing and commercial development in Harlem.

He has led boycotts of several New York institutions for their racist policies and employment discrimination, and has led an acclaimed campaign to eliminate negative billboard advertising in central Harlem and other New York communities. Dr. Butts also has publicly denounced negative rap lyrics that glorify violence and hostility toward women.

Dr. Butts is chair of the National Affiliate Development Initiative of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS and a founding member of its board of commissioners. He has served as president of Africare, an independent organization dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life in rural Africa.

Dr. Butts has served on the faculties of the City College of New York and Fordham University. A frequent speaker at colleges and universities throughout America, he is the recipient of numerous awards, including the William M. Moss Distinguished Brotherhood Award and the Louise Fisher Morris Humanitarian Award. He was recognized as a Living Treasure by the New York City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

A native of New York City, Dr. Butts earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy at Morehouse College. He earned a master of divinity degree in church history at Union Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry degree in church and public policy at Drew University.

All talks are free and open to the public and will take place at 8 p.m. in Oberlin's Finney Chapel, located on the corner of West Lorain and North Professor streets.

The Finney Lecture Committee sponsors Oberlin's Convocation Series with support from the Office of the President. Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Tony Kushner will present this year's final Convocation talk on Thursday, April 14.

2004-2005 Convocation Series